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Betrayed by an Episcopalian, columnist is treading water

Some tattletale over at Trinity Episcopal Church in Oshkosh got me into hot water with my four girl cousins (of varying degrees of cousinship.) Fortunately, we love each other and the cousins have a sense of humor so I won't have to tread water too long.

Some tattletale over at Trinity Episcopal Church in Oshkosh got me into hot water with my four girl cousins (of varying degrees of cousinship.) Fortunately, we love each other and the cousins have a sense of humor so I won't have to tread water too long.

Folks who read this column regularly may recall that in June I wrote about a discussion between two of the cousins – one Lutheran, one Episcopalian – on our drive back from a day in Door County. They were talking about the dilemma of how to get more youths (especially high school students) to come to church, then how to keep them coming back once they get there. Their respective faith leaders were trying to find ways to do this.

Their discussion gave me the idea for a column. Beware, cousins. When your Oshkosh cousin is a retired reporter/editor anything you say may become column fodder.

Flash ahead a few weeks – Rev. Ray, the husband of my Episcopalian cousin, comes to Trinity Episcopal Church in Oshkosh because he is a "supply pastor" and was asked to help out that weekend. My cousin Kathie, his wife, accompanied him. Kathie, in talking with a woman at Trinity Episcopal, mentions that one of her cousins lives in Oshkosh and writes a column for the Northwestern.

Full details of the rest of the story are a bit fuzzy, but Kathie found out about the column in which she was a key figure. This past week we cousins gathered in Denmark for lunch and sharing. Kathie told the story of her visit to Trinity Episcopal, etc. "What did you write about us?" she asked with a twinkle in her eye and a grin. They couldn't imagine what they discussed that would end up in my column. I grinned a bit sheepishly, declined to reveal the subject, but promised to mail a copy of that column to each of them.

• The last Memorial Mass of the summer in Oshkosh Catholic cemeteries will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Riverside Catholic Cemetery. Fr. Jim Jugenheimer, pastor of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, will be the celebrant. Attendees are reminded to bring a folding chair or lawn chair. There is no rain date.

• During August the flock at Lord of the Lakes Church in Winneconne is hearing Pastor Kevin Heffernan preach a series on Good News "and how our perspectives can change depending on what we focus on. Interestingly, my research had indicated that, in many ways, 2013 was the best year on the planet for humankind. Could this be?" He calls the project "uplifting Sundays."

"It's easy," Pastor Kevin writes in his church newsletter, "to sit down at the computer or open the newspaper and quickly become overwhelmed with so much BAD NEWS. But, as we all know, good news doesn't sell newspapers or prime-time ads. As Carol (his wife) and I talked, we started to realize, 'Hey – what if the sky isn't falling? What if the world is actually improving? What if the GOOD NEWS Jesus tells us about can give us hope now AND for the future?' "

• At Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church in Oshkosh coins placed in the Sunday offering in August will be forwarded to Haitian Artisans for Peace International – to assist in HAPI's work in Haiti. HAPI is in the Mizak region of Haiti, where 70 percent of the population are peasants living on less than one (U.S.) dollar per day; 44 percent of the households are headed by women. The Artisans for Peace International began with a community of fair trade artisans creating products for the international gift market. Some of the areas that benefit from the sales are health care, water filter systems and micro loans for individual businesses.

• The next summer monthly Mass at historic St. Thomas Church in the town of Poygan is at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30. Fr. Joe Mattern will be the celebrant for the Mass sponsored by The Friends of St. Thomas, the organization that cares for the church at 5753 Church Road, Omro.

• The Letter of James is the subject of a Fall Scripture Study sponsored by St. Jude Parish of Oshkosh at its St. Vincent site. Rob Saley, Adult Faith Formation Minister, writes that "James is one of the most practical books of the Bible. This study, which will include videos presented by Jeff Cavins, offers 'pearls for wise living' by applying the wisdom of James to the present day." The series of 11 sessions can be taken Monday mornings or Wednesday evenings starting Sept. 8 for $25. Registrations are due Aug. 30. Call 235-7412 or email: rsaley@stjudeoshkosh.org

• A Bless the Pets Service, a traditional event in August at St. Andrew's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oshkosh, is scheduled as part of the 10:30 a.m. outdoor worship on Sunday, Aug. 31. Those who can't bring their pet will get a copy of a special blessing prayer for pets to take home.

• Mark your calendar, you bargain hunters: On This Rock Christian Books & Gifts of Oshkosh will have a Clearing the House Sale Sept. 3-6 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop is at 216 W. South Park Ave.

Judy Russell of Oshkosh writes about happenings at area centers of worship. To submit news for her consideration, email her courtesy of Oshkoshsubmit@thenorthwestern.com with the subject "Church news." Deadline is 5 p.m. Mondays.